Alan Allgeier named director of KU’s Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis

Alan Allgeier, Don W. Green Professor of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, has been named director of the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis at the University of Kansas, effective immediately.

The CEBC works to develop cleaner, safer, energy-efficient technologies that protect the planet and human health while training the next generation of scientists and engineers.

“I am honored to be appointed director of the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis,” Allgeier said. “Since its founding in 2003, excellence in research and workforce development has been the hallmark of CEBC. I look forward to building on that foundation as we focus on new use-inspired research that addresses real-world challenges.”

Allgeier has served as CEBC’s deputy director for four years. Continuing to expand collaborations with industry partners across the chemical, biorenewable, polymer and pharmaceutical sectors will be a critical strategy, he said, to help connect KU’s fundamental research to regional and national needs — supporting economic growth and quality of life. 

“I am excited to work with our students, faculty, scientists, engineers and partners as we advance CEBC’s mission,” Allgeier said.
 

The CEBC was founded at KU in 2003 with a goal of solving society’s most urgent challenges —from curbing pollutants to conserving precious resources and halting climate change. That work continues today as the CEBC strives to train the next generation of scientists and engineers and collaborate with leading chemical and energy companies.

Since its inception, CEBC has been driven by the needs of industry. CEBC researchers collaborate with industry scientists and engineers to understand the technical and business challenges to implementing new catalytic processes. 

CEBC also uses economic and environmental assessment tools at early stages of research projects to help companies understand the potential of new technologies along with hurdles that need to be overcome.

Through collaboration with industry partners and support from KU administration, the CEBC has received more than $60 million in external research and development funding over the years.